Luminous paint glows in the dark.
Luminous paints absorb light and reflect the light back when the lights are off so that they glow in the dark. Whether you're decorating a haunted house or simply want a different look for a teen's bedroom, luminous paints are available in a variety of brilliant colors. Luminous paints are also used in some safety applications, such as for highway signs and road markings. The ingredients in luminous paints may be harmful if ingested or if you breathe the fumes, so wear protective clothing and always work in a well-ventilated area. Immediately wash away the paint if it comes in contact with your bare skin.
Zinc Sulfide
Zinc sulfide is the phosphorescent pigment that enables luminous paint to glow in the dark. The pigment is inexpensive to produce and soluble in water, allowing it to be used in water-based paints.
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate may be familiar to some as a popular calcium supplement, but in paint it's used as an extender. Calcium carbonate is also known as chalk and serves to thicken the paint.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is the chief component of anti-freeze. In paint, the addition of propylene glycol keeps the paint from freezing at low temperatures and also helps the paint go on more smoothly--a quality known as leveling.
